Every year–
I wait for spring
to hear again
the mockingbird sing–
the effort he exerts—
that brings to me such pleasure.
Now hear the sound of robins, cardinals, jays,
all of their phrases within his song
so long, and repeated with such power,
calling from above the flowers
as he perches in a tree.
See—he struts,
with wings outstretched
he flaunts his stuff—
but it’s his voice that floats
above the pink-petaled rain,
he’s sustained
by hope–or desperation–
the sound
goes ‘round and round
through the midnight hours
singing with so much might
he summons dawn’s light—
and still he sings
into the after.
So. . .many of you know I’ve had a rough couple of weeks, and I stopped participating in this year’s NaPoWriMo and other prompts. But, here’s one on-prompt for the last day of NaPoWriMo to write a poem about something that returns. I felt like doing a bit of rhyme.
I’m also linking it to Open Link Night at dVerse, where Kim is hosting and notes “we are listening.”
.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
There’s a nightingale outside singing in the dark and the rain. Like your mockingbird, they keep at it, never give up. Be like the mocking bird 🙂
Aww, you! 😘
I submitted a couple of things today, too. We’ll see. . .
Of course, since we’re the same person, I guess the advice goes both ways.
I hope you get positive feedback. I’ve had one rejection so far, or alternatively, I’ve fielded our rejection 🙂
😏
What a perfect way to bring in the last day of NaPoWriMo. Wonderful.
Aww–thanks so much!
🙂 My pleasure!
😀
Does a mockingbird actually imitate other birdsongs? Wow. I knew that magpies and crows could mimic even human words.
Yes, they actually do. It’s so funny to hear. And you can tell it’s a mockingbird because it will be a whole string of different bird calls, and then they’ll repeat it. I was watching one do it the other day while I was out walking.
Starlings too.
Lovely. I especially enjoyed “above the pink-petaled rain, he’s sustained”
Thank you very much!
Beautifully done, Merril. Thank you for sharing it with us. Take care. ❤
Thanks so much, Jill! ❤️
I like how he sings to summon dawn’s light.
Thank you, Frank.
Pink petaled rain. My neighbors have a tree carrying out that image and it’s a beautiful sight. Your words describe it perfectly.
Thank you so much, Claudia!
I’ve been seeing it on my morning walks–so pretty.
Pink-petaled rain. My daughter took a photograph and called it “pink snow”. Beautiful backdrop for the mockingbird. I wonder, does he have a song of his own?
Thank you. I think I’ve maybe called it pink snow, too. It’s so pretty.
Apparently, the mockingbirds do have their own songs, but they change because they keep adding to it.
I followed a mockingbird along the bridge to the park the other day. He stayed just ahead of me but never stopped singing…that made me smile!
Thank you, Kerfe. That story makes me smile, too.
I enjoyed reading this, and hope that you are well.
“but it’s his voice that floats
above the pink-petaled rain,”
I especially liked that line.
Thank you very much. I appreciate you telling me that.
Simply beautiful:
“singing with so much might
he summons dawn’s light—”
Thank you very much, Jade!
You are welcome.
Wow!! Loved reading this! I also write poetry!
Thank you so much!
Knowing what you’ve been through, Merril, I understood your absence from April’s poetry, but I‘m delighted you made it for the last day – and with a wonderful poem. Your mockingbird is like my magpie, he returns again and again – if he is the same one! His voice is less tuneful but just as welcome. I love the crescendo of birdsong in the second stanza, the mockingbird’s rendition is truly multilingual, and the image of him strutting and flaunting his stuff, not so different from the magpie.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Kim. I appreciate it.
Many years ago, when our girls were little, and we had other cats who have passed, there was a mockingbird that stopped in front of the open window where one of the cats was sitting and did this sort of stop in midair flashing maneuver. I saw a mockingbird do something like that outside a few weeks ago.
I hope you’re feeling better.
Thank you, Merril. The shingles has cleared up but I slipped and fell in the shower in Wednesday, so I’m taking it easy for a bit. I hope you’re well. I’ll be thinking of you.
Oh no! Kim, I’m so sorry. I hope you weren’t injured too badly. But I’m glad the shingles have cleared-up. My mother-in-law had a terrible time with shingles.
My neck, shoulder and arm ache, and I have a purple toe. I had a break from writing today, but had to keep up with reading and commenting. No peace for the wicked!
Feel better!😀
I really love this poem. It’s so beautiful! Such a shame NaPoWriMo has ended I’ve loved reading your work
Thank you so much!
I’ll still be posting (though not every day.) 😉
A beautiful poem, thoughts are still with you.🌼
Thanks so much, Jude!
Not only could I hear the mockingbird as I was reading, I heard all the birds of spring. Well done and welcome back!
Thank you very much, Frank!
I love this, so very much. A wonderful ode to the Mockingbird. ❤
Thank you, Robin! ❤️
Well done. Now I know where the name comes from. Thinking of you. XX
Thank you very much, Derrick. 💙
What a lovely poem. Congrats on making it through this challenge!
Thank you very much!
I didn’t actually make it through the challenge this year–I just came back for the final day.
Truly beautiful. Uplifting.
Thank you very much!
“singing with so much might
he summons dawn’s light—”
Wonderful.
Thank you so much!
🙂
Mockingbirds are amazing, and you really captured their character with your poem. We have them year-round here, often belting out quite a repertoire of bird songs. Every so often, one will perch on a nearby branch and just go through the whole song list 😉 They’re also tough birds. I once saw a mockingbird dive-bomb a cat several times as the cat made his way across a road. I suspect the cat was a bit too close to the mockingbird’s nest. They don’t hesitate to chase off hawks either 😉
Thanks so much, Marie. I think some may stay here all year, too, but they don’t put on the big concerts. I love when they do their full concerts. 😀. I didn’t know they chased off hawks, but years ago, there was one that used to do this war dance thing in front of the windows where the cats were.
Mockingbirds can be cheeky 😉
😀
As always, your words paint a glorious picture and your talent abounds. I know there’s no time limit, but I hope your heart is healing some, dear friend. Know that you are in my thoughts daily. xo ❤️
That is so sweet and kind. Thank you so very much. ❤️